Ipswich-Rowley Rotary is grateful for all the community donations to our February Food Drive.
“Our total donation this year was 1645 pounds of food to benefit the Open Door Ipswich
Community Food Pantry. We exceeded our expectations and increased this year’s donations by several hundred pounds,” according to Chris Davis, Ipswich-Rowley Rotarian and food drive organizer. Julie LaFontaine, Open Door President and CEO, is again grateful for this continued support from the community, “With the cost-of-living outpacing many budgets, food drives like this one play a critical role in keeping our shelves stocked and our neighbors fed during the winter months. Our hats are off to Ipswich-Rowley Rotary for demonstrating what “service above self” looks like in action."
Chris Davis also notes, “Our Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians volunteer many hours each week delivering food for both The Open Door Food Pantry, Ipswich and the First Parish Newbury Food Pantry, Newbury. These are critical organizations requiring volunteers committed to addressing hunger that is often hidden in plain sight.”
John Witzig, fellow Rotarian, added, “Free hot meals are also provided at the Ipswich Dinner Bell , a weekly gathering at the Ipswich Masonic Hall. Rotarians, along with numerous other groups and churches, support and distribute these meals every week.” Dinner Bell provides 150 meals weekly, half of the guests dine together, and the other half are delivered to homes. Rotarians help both deliver these meals weekly as well as serve quarterly at the Masonic Hall.
The Ipswich-Rowley Rotary Food Drive is an important service to our community organizations that depend on volunteer contributions of food as well as commitment of time.
We are very grateful to the generous contributions from the following local businesses, with the greatest donations from Paula Henrys Fitness. Thank you! Ipswich Town Hall, the Ipswich Public Library, the Ipswich YMCA, The Institution for Savings, Brookline Bank, Bank Gloucester, and Mark Warner Martial Arts.
Rowley Town Hall, the Rowley Public Library, Three Sweet Peas, Choice Graphics, Fitness 24, and Paula Henry Fitness.